Still going after 40 years, Bon Jovi are one of the most enduring bands in rock 'n' roll history.
"Thank You, Goodnight" not only celebrates the band's legacy, but the fight to keep performing. While there's only four episodes, they run between 60-90 minutes each, so there's plenty to enjoy.
Even the most hardcore Bon Jovi fans will find something new in the archival footage and old band interviews. There's even an unreleased song 'Cadilliac Man', which was intended for the '90s Robin Williams movie of the same name.
The structure of the documentary switches between the band's preparation for their 40th anniversary tour and looking back at their career - going right back to Jon Bongiovi's early years in the '70s. Even Jon's acting career is briefly covered, as well as the impact of 9/11 and Covid.
While this is a celebration, the documentary doesn't skip over the darker moments: the focus is on Jon's battles with a failing voice. Jon does everything in his power to stay at his peak, and even contemplates retiring if he can't perform to his satisfaction. At one point, Jon gets emotional when talking about the band's legacy. That's how much it means to him.
Though Jon is - expectedly - front and centre in this documentary, there's also contemporary interviews from the surviving members of the band and some of their managers. Richie Sambora explains the real reasons why he left the band in 2013 (a combination of addiction problems and family issues). Bruce Springsteen - who Jon became good friends with - is also interviewed, as well as Jon's wife Dorothea.
While most of the albums are covered, I was disappointed that the excellent 'These Days' album was skipped over. It was a big departure from the band's usually optimistic, working-class anthems; it would have been interesting to hear the band discuss why they chose that bleaker path, but sadly it's not to be. And Jon's second solo album 'Destination Anywhere' (recorded in the break between 'These Days' and 'Crush') is barely mentioned: though considering it was a middle-of-the-road album, it was probably a wise choice.
But the documentary ends on a positive note, with the band recording their new song 'Legendary' from their upcoming album.
"Thank You, Goodnight" not only celebrates the band's legacy, but the fight to keep performing. While there's only four episodes, they run between 60-90 minutes each, so there's plenty to enjoy.
Even the most hardcore Bon Jovi fans will find something new in the archival footage and old band interviews. There's even an unreleased song 'Cadilliac Man', which was intended for the '90s Robin Williams movie of the same name.
The structure of the documentary switches between the band's preparation for their 40th anniversary tour and looking back at their career - going right back to Jon Bongiovi's early years in the '70s. Even Jon's acting career is briefly covered, as well as the impact of 9/11 and Covid.
While this is a celebration, the documentary doesn't skip over the darker moments: the focus is on Jon's battles with a failing voice. Jon does everything in his power to stay at his peak, and even contemplates retiring if he can't perform to his satisfaction. At one point, Jon gets emotional when talking about the band's legacy. That's how much it means to him.
Though Jon is - expectedly - front and centre in this documentary, there's also contemporary interviews from the surviving members of the band and some of their managers. Richie Sambora explains the real reasons why he left the band in 2013 (a combination of addiction problems and family issues). Bruce Springsteen - who Jon became good friends with - is also interviewed, as well as Jon's wife Dorothea.
While most of the albums are covered, I was disappointed that the excellent 'These Days' album was skipped over. It was a big departure from the band's usually optimistic, working-class anthems; it would have been interesting to hear the band discuss why they chose that bleaker path, but sadly it's not to be. And Jon's second solo album 'Destination Anywhere' (recorded in the break between 'These Days' and 'Crush') is barely mentioned: though considering it was a middle-of-the-road album, it was probably a wise choice.
But the documentary ends on a positive note, with the band recording their new song 'Legendary' from their upcoming album.